I dont think (well hope!) that any area will get preferential treatment re a start date. if they do i'll be on the phone straight away...
However, there may be current NATS ATSAs waiting for a course at units that will be affected by the introduction of EFPS (SS and KK) who may get onto a course to coincide with the reduction in staff numbers at those units.
There may also be other operational reasons affecting the timing of when they can be released that may see them move up the queue.